Owner shocked at stolen car find

A Banbridge woman whose car was recovered less than two weeks after being stolen from her Old Bleach Green home has said she was shocked it was so nearby.

Gemma Wood’s car was recovered along with another stolen vehicle in the Drumbeg area of Lisburn on Sunday, April 26, following a report of suspicious activity, but unfortunately both cars had been stripped down.

“I was contacted by Lisburn police who told me they had good news and bad news,” said Gemma.

“They said my car had been found but that it had been completely stripped - it had no doors, engine or wheels.

“I just felt really shocked that it was found so close to home.”

The two vehicles were recovered from the Quarterlands Road after a keen eyed member of the public who was out walking his dog, contacted police when he noticed something suspicious.

Detective Constable Ferguson said: “We received a report of a property with a number of cars that appeared to be stripped down.

“We attended and found two cars in the process of having parts removed.

“We were able to confirm that the red Ford Focus had been stolen from Old Bleach Green in Banbridge between April 14 and 15, and a white Volkswagen Golf had been stolen from Sandyknowes Way in Newtownabbey on April 15.

“Keeping people safe while policing with the community is what officers do every day. The collaboration between police and the community when it comes to tackling criminality, reporting suspicious activity and gathering information that can help keep people safe is vital and this partnership approach has again brought results.

“We are thankful to this member of the public and we would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious, or has information on crime and criminality to contact us.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has information which may assist our investigation and we can be contacted in CID in Lisburn on 101.”